First published back in 1991 ‘Chamber Of Horrors’ was a collection of six previously published horror Fastbacks. The fastback anthology was collected and published by Fearon Education under their ‘Spellbinders’ range aimed at middle and high school students (target reading ages 12-15).
Whilst Fearon published a total of seven ‘Spellbinders’ anthologies of this nature, this particular anthology is perhaps the most sought after, because it contains two stories by the highly revered horror author, Richard Laymon.
The series featured fast-paced fiction written by various contributing authors designed to engage reluctant readers.
Tomb Of Horror – Janet Lorimer – 24 Pages
The short vacation had come about because of a handwritten journal Randy had found in a second-hand bookstore. The book contained a map pertaining to the supposed location of an old abandoned and pretty much forgotten mine.
It was said Kroeger had discovered the mine back during the gold rush. However, there’d been an accident, and the main tunnel caved in. A lot of good men had died that day. Kroeger was the sole survivor of the tragedy. Since then, folks had left the mine alone, fearing a terrible curse.
Now Randy and his sister, Toni, had come to the mountain location for a week of camping. However, what Toni didn’t know was that Randy planned to explore the old mine. Explore the caverns which had been left untouched for countless decades. A mine that had been abandoned for a very good reason…
Hawaiian author Janet Lorimer’s offering is a fast-paced story about an abandoned old mine and a dark curse. In fact, it’s not so much a curse, but rather a vampire story, with modest nods towards the likes of ‘Dracula’ (1897).
The story’s split into four short chapters, however, for the most part it simply sets down the intriguing premise, establishing the foundations for the mystery of the mine and what could be within. Only in the latter stages does the vampiric horror reveal itself. The result is a gloriously dark finale, far bleaker than you would have expected for a piece of teen fiction.
All in all, for a short, sharp stab at horror it’s not a bad little tale at all. Solid pacing, plenty of intrigue and mounting suspense. However, it’s that dark and sinister ending where the story really surprises you with a sudden grimness.
The story was originally released as the standalone fastback ‘Tomb Of Horror’ (1985).
The Bird – A.G. Gersdorf – 46 Pages
When Rhoda Snider was crushed to death after the bleachers collapsed during a water-ballet show on the university campus, her husband simply felt a sense of relief. David Culpepper had been married to Rhoda for ten long years, over which she had gradually worn him down.
David knew Rhoda too had been far from happy with her chosen partner. She’d not even taken his surname after they married. Determined to keep her family name which was so tightly associated with the university.
But now she was gone forever, and David couldn’t help but feel free. Although for whatever reason, he couldn’t seem to shake Rhoda’s lasting presence. Her loudmouthed mynah bird even had his dead wife’s voice. Imitating Rhoda’s resentful tones so well. It was like hearing her from the grave, forever complaining about one thing or another.
David had been given a week off work to mourn. But all the time that despicable bird kept screeching at him. Driving him to distraction. It got to the point where he had to rid himself of it. Let it loose into the world. But even that wasn’t enough. The bloody thing kept coming back. Calling out to him from the porch rail directly outside their apartment.
“David, why did you kill me?”… Why was it saying such things? Why wouldn’t it just go? Moreso, why did he constantly feel so guilty?...
For this double-fastback we have a downbeat and altogether miserable story, that tries to tiptoe somewhere between a strange psychological horror and oddly a black comedy. Not that it’s actually got all that much in it that’ll have you smirking. Essentially, it’s all focused on this poor fella’s miserable life, how he’s been emotionally overruled and held back for the last ten years. Unable to follow the life and career he actually wanted.
But now he’s free… only he can’t seem to shake the lasting impression of his dead wife. This is all projected through her loudmouthed mynah bird – Patty – which he soon renames Mac, another small thing to try to cut all ties with his previous life.
David also has a cat – Alex – who he adores. A cat which you see him putting all his love and affection into. This is of course because he’s lonely and in need of emotional support. Although he has a couple of close friends, it’s David’s interactions with these two contrasting pets where we see the broken man struggling.
So yeah, it’s not exactly a laugh-a-minute. Unfortunately, though, the story doesn’t really take us much further than this. A glimmer of hope for a new life, that’s cut short in sudden tragedy. Or is it revenge? Who knows?! It’s not exactly an accomplished tale. It certainly doesn’t have a clearly defined ending, but rather a mildly ironic conclusion.
The story was originally released as the standalone fastback ‘The Bird’ (1987) and then later reprinted within the ‘Claws & Feathers’ (1989) Fastback Anthology.
Guts – Richard Laymon – 22 Pages
It’s Tom Harris’ first night working at a firm of private investigators. His boss has coupled him up with a burly co-worker named McCoy; their job that night is to repossess a hearse that the owner – Uriah Stubbins – has failed to keep up with his payments on.
Oddly, the previous night McCoy’s colleague Beamis was sent out to retrieve the very same hearse, however the investigator hasn’t been seen since. No doubt he bottled it. Although tonight shouldn't be a problem, because Harris has guts...
What we have here is a fast-paced shot of horror, delivered by one of the most highly revered writers of the genre. Indeed, Laymon cuts to the chase from the outset, laying down the plot and premise in a matter of seconds, then quickly bounding on with the suspense-inducing antics that form the very backbone of the tale.
The storyline expertly plays off the two characters of Harris and McCoy, allowing their dialogue to do nearly all of the work for the development of the storyline. Throughout the short tale, Laymon laces the narrative with a hefty undertone of black comedy, bringing out a sly smile from the reader as the macabre twist ending is finally unveiled.
All in all, this is a quick and amusing read that will certainly entertain the reader for a good few minutes.
The story was originally released as the standalone fastback ‘Guts’ (1985) which was later rereleased under the alternative title ‘The Hearse’.
Coming Home – Karen Liberatore – 46 Pages
Andrew Collins and his wife Sara had left for the Ozark hills in southern Missouri within days of Sara hearing from her Uncle John. A letter had arrived a few days ago informing Sara that Uncle John had taken a turn for the worse. Asking if Sara could get back to Missouri, as soon as possible, as there were family matters her Uncle wanted to discuss.
It’s not the first time Sara’s received a letter from her uncle. Andrew had glanced through others over the years. Letters filled with backwoods superstitions – stories about wolves and how families stuck together in life and death. This was however, the first time one of Uncle John’s letters had asked Sara to return home.
Now, instead of the pair flying to Hawaii, they’d be spending their summer vacation with Uncle John. A quirky old man who’d been holed up for years in a run-down farmhouse deep in the woods. A prospect Andrew was far from thrilled about.
However, when they arrive at the old farmhouse, Sara sadly finds they’re too late. Her Uncle John has already passed away. All that’s left for Sara is an envelope with ‘The Last Child’ scribbled on the front. A final letter leaving all of her beloved uncle’s possessions to her. A life at the farmhouse, now that she’d finally returned home…
This is an oddly unnerving short read. However, it’s also a bit of a confused one. You see, author Karen Liberatore kind of makes a number of suggestions about an underlying horror. Where she sort of leads us down a few different avenues, but never really goes much further than that.
Essentially, we have suggestions of a haunted house, along with almost a ‘The Wicker Man’ (1973) meets ‘Midsommar’ (2019) vibe, with vague hints of a werewolf pack, or maybe even a satanic cult of some sort. It’s all in there, but yeah, none of these aspects really lead us anywhere of note.
For the storyline itself, we have a husband who’s being carted off to a farmhouse located in the back and beyond, where he finds his wife slowly getting odder and odder. The farmhouse itself is completely run-down, but to Sara, it’s like paradise. As I said, it’s all very peculiar and a tad unsettling.
The story does start to pick up some momentum towards the latter chapters, where Sara’s getting stranger by the hour. The inclusion of a child’s doll into the mix – one which supposedly was modelled on Sara herself – adds another creepy layer to the story. But again, doesn’t really go much further than that.
The ending is quick and leaves more loose ends than it does wrap things up. It’s again, all a bit strange and eerie, but works in a mildly creepy way. Reminds me of Chantal Noordeloos’ short story ‘Easter Eggs’ from ‘Easter Eggs & Bunny Boilers’ (2016) if you’ve read it?!
Anyway, although somewhat confused without much direction to it, the story’s nevertheless not a bad one at all. Creepy but a tad directionless and unresolved.
The story was originally released as the standalone fastback ‘Coming Home’ (1987).
Fast Forward – Janice Greene – 48 Pages
Don Rayburn loved TV. Films, game shows, documentaries – whatever it was, he no doubt enjoyed every minute of it. Which is why he’d spent so much of his money on the 11-foot satellite dish which they now had in their front garden. It gave him access to a whopping 140 TV channels. He also now had two VCRs, so he could watch live broadcasts whilst taping something on another channel.
His wife, Brenda, was far from impressed when he’d come home with the new VCR. More entertainment equipment filling up the game room. At this rate Don would have no time for anything other than watching all his shows and movies. The game room was dominated by tapes already, long gone was anything that Brenda would use.
Even when their new next-door neighbour moved in, Don barely got out of his seat from watching his films. Although Don had already heard about the Howard’s. Marvin Howard was Tony’s boss, but Tony didn’t have a good word to say about him. Don trusted Tony. He’d known him long enough to know Tony had his head screwed on.
True to form, when Marvin came over to ask a favour of Don, the man had already made a nuisance of himself. Disturbing Don’s viewing of a film and then having the audacity to ask Don to turn the VCR’s green light off as it was hurting his eyes. Although, to be fair, the new VCR did give off a strange green glow from time to time.
It was a green glow that Don soon found would precede a vision of the future. Strangely, the VCR would fast forward, and then on the TV screen it would reveal a moment in the not-too-distant future. Showing Don a terrible crime that was going to happen. A warning.
Although it seemed unlikely, Don was convinced his new VCR was able to reveal events that were going to occur. On each occasion, a brutal murder. The first of which would be Marvin Howard’s demise…
You’ve gotta love a quirky 1980s horror! Here we have just that. The sort of thing that might’ve appeared on a ‘Tales From The Crypt’ (1989 – 1996) episode. A similar vibe to Adam Millard’s ‘The Bad Game’ (2016) basically.
Essentially, we have a guy who buys a second-hand VHS player which we find out reveals glimpses of future murders when it fast forwards. In true 80s style, the VHS player casts an eerie illuminous green glow, which of course then has a deadly impact upon what happens next. Oh yes, its quirky and camp 80s horror alright!
Of course, half the joy in this story is how dated it is. This fella spends a fortune on blank VHS tapes, analog equipment, and a huge satellite dish. He’s obsessed with films and TV shows. Watching film after film into the wee hours of the morning whilst his poor wife sleeps upstairs.
There’s a whodunnit element to the tale too, although let’s be honest, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to work out the culprit from early on. No spoilers, but yeah, you can see the big twist coming chapters ahead. The irony, eh?!
Anyway, the murders themselves aren’t anything of note. A few strangulations of the neighbours by the heavy-gloved hands of our perpetrator. Not the most inspired of techniques but does the job.
The end result is a fun and entertaining short read, with the most enjoyment coming from the 1980s setting. Those who were around during the 1980s and indeed old school VHS collectors will get the most out of the tale, with the nostalgia of the setup and Don’s obsession bringing a wry smile to your face.
The story was originally released as the standalone fastback ‘Fast Forward’ (1987).
Halloween Hunt – Richard Laymon – 44 Pages
Linda was still upset about what Dave had done. He’d taken Tanya Raines of all people to the Springsteen concert when she couldn’t go because of the flu. That had been the last straw for her. She’d ended their relationship then and there.
After that, knowing Dave would undoubtedly be going to Walt’s Halloween party was the main reason she didn’t want to go. Although, if she was honest with herself, it was also the main reason why deep down she wanted to go. For days she’d told herself she’d not attend, all the way up until it was time to go. Then last minute she’d flung on her old cheerleaders’ outfit and gone.
Everyone knew Walt always made a real effort with his Halloween parties. This year was no exception. For the main event he’d organised a Halloween Hunt. There were eight guests in total, so they’d been split into two teams, with two referees watching over events. Bill and Walt were to be the referees. Unfortunately for Linda, Dave of all people was on her team, along with an unknown guest who’d remained hidden underneath a ghost’s sheet the whole time. The prize for the hunt, however, was three-hundred dollars for the lucky team.
All the two teams had to do was go out on a search and collect together the items stipulated on their respective lists. Simple! However, being Halloween, those items invariably all had a somewhat creepy twist to them. Nevertheless, the prize, even when split three-ways, was worth it!
Or so Linda and her teammates thought…
Here we have a short story which feels like it’s been plucked straight from a corny 80’s horror flick. We have a bunch of teenaged college kids with all the usual teenager love life issues thrown into the bubbling mix. Our principal protagonist within this high-hormone soiree is Linda. A character who’s as indecisive as she is adamant. A contradiction in itself, but then that’s frigging teenagers for you!
Anyway, this Walt character comes across as a prank-master Halloween legend. At last year’s party he paid some guy at a morgue to borrow a dead body so he could have it propped up as a guest at his party. This year we have this Halloween Hunt, which as you can no doubt imagine, has some pretty fun Halloween inspired stuff on the lists for these teenagers to hunt out and bring back.
For the main part of the story, we have Linda and Dave’s troubles and the resulting awkwardness at the forefront of the narrative – mostly via the inner monologue that’s constantly going through Linda’s head. A secondary substory about “who’s under the ghostly sheet” also takes up a fair chunk of the tale, for the first half or so of the book.
However, it’s once the team are on their third challenge that the tale takes a sudden twist towards much more of a horror story. Without hopefully giving too much away, we have a sudden shift from all those tiresome teenager-love-life-woes, to instead embrace a whole new pulpy horror take on the story, which feels almost intrinsically linked to both Laymon’s ‘Night Games’ (1986) Fastback, as well as his highly-revered ‘Beast House’ series.
Oddly, at this point Laymon only throws down a few pages of horror action, before steering the tale to an abrupt and (to be honest) altogether inconclusive ending. Although the story is kind of brought to something resembling a conclusion, there’s still some pretty hefty questions left lingering in the air.
Still, the story is an entertaining short read, with plenty going on in there to keep you grinning.
The story was originally released as the standalone fastback ‘Halloween Hunt’ (1986).
The collection runs for a total of 233 pages.
© DLS Reviews
